You cannot get a full driver's license on your phone, but you can store a digital copy on some phones and use it in limited situations
A digital driver's license on your phone is not a replacement for a physical card. It is a digital image or credential that some states and phone manufacturers allow you to add to your phone's wallet app — Apple Wallet on iPhones, Google Wallet on Android devices. You still need the physical license for most legal purposes, including driving, voting, or boarding a plane. The digital version works only in specific situations, usually at airport security checkpoints or when showing proof of identity to police during a traffic stop, and only in states that have rolled out the feature.
The process of adding a digital license to your phone is not the same as obtaining a license. You must already have a valid physical driver's license issued by your state. The digital version is created from that existing license and stored on your device. It does not replace your state's licensing process, which still requires you to visit a DMV office, pass a written test, pass a driving test, and receive a physical card.
Key Takeaways
- Digital driver's licenses are available only in a handful of states — currently Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and Utah — and the list changes as more states add the feature.
- You must have a valid physical driver's license from your state before you can add a digital version to your phone.
- Digital licenses work at TSA checkpoints in participating airports and sometimes during police traffic stops, but not for voting, crossing state borders, or renting a car.
- Adding a digital license to your phone takes about 10 to 15 minutes and requires you to photograph your physical license and verify your identity through your phone's camera.
- Your phone must be unlocked and have battery power for a digital license to work — it will not display if your device is locked or powered off.
Which states currently offer digital driver's licenses
As of early 2024, eight states have launched digital driver's license programs: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and Utah. Each state rolled out the feature at different times, and more states are testing or planning to launch their own versions. The feature is not available nationwide, so you cannot use a digital license from one state in another state that has not yet launched the program.
The rollout has been slow because each state must update its DMV systems, coordinate with Apple and Google, and establish security standards. Some states are still in pilot phases, meaning the feature may be available only to certain age groups or in certain regions. Before you attempt to add a digital license, check your state's DMV website to confirm whether the program is live in your state and whether you are in the may be able to access group.
How to add a digital driver's license to your phone
The process differs slightly between iPhones and Android devices, but the basic steps are the same. On an iPhone, open the Wallet app, tap the plus sign, select "Driver's License or State ID," and follow the prompts. You will be asked to photograph the front and back of your physical license and take a selfie. The app will guide you through identity verification, which usually involves answering security questions or confirming information from your DMV record.
On Android devices using Google Wallet, the process is similar: open Google Wallet, tap the plus sign, select "ID," and choose your state. You will photograph your license and take a selfie, then verify your identity. The entire process typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. Your phone must have a working camera and a stable internet connection. Once you complete the steps, your digital license appears in your wallet app and is encrypted on your device.
After you add the digital license, your phone stores it locally — it does not upload to the cloud or to a government server. When you show it to TSA or police, they scan a code on the digital license using a special reader. Your phone remains in your hands during the scan; you do not hand it over.
Where you can and cannot use a digital driver's license
Digital driver's licenses work at TSA security checkpoints in airports that have installed the necessary scanning equipment. As of 2024, hundreds of U.S. airports accept digital licenses, but not all do. Before you travel, check the TSA website or call your airport to confirm that your departure airport accepts digital IDs. If it does not, bring your physical license.
Some states allow police to scan a digital license during a traffic stop, but this is not universal. Even in states where it is permitted, an officer may still ask to see your physical license. You should always have your physical license with you while driving, because a digital copy does not satisfy the legal requirement to carry proof of licensure.
Digital licenses do not work for voting, crossing state or international borders, renting a car, purchasing age-restricted items, or entering federal buildings. Banks and other institutions do not yet accept them. For all of these situations, you must present your physical license.
Security and privacy considerations
Your digital license is encrypted on your phone and does not leave your device unless you unlock it and present it to a TSA reader or police officer. The encryption is designed to prevent someone from accessing your license if they steal your phone. However, if your phone is unlocked and in someone else's hands, they can open your wallet app and see the digital license.
When you show a digital license to TSA or police, they scan only the encrypted code — they do not see your full name, address, or other personal details unless you hand them the phone. The scanning process is similar to scanning a barcode. Your state's DMV does not receive notification that you showed your license; the transaction is between you and the person scanning it.
If you lose your phone or it is stolen, your digital license is not accessible to anyone else unless they unlock your device. You can remove the license from your wallet app at any time. Your physical license remains valid and unaffected by anything that happens to your phone.
What to do if your state does not offer digital licenses yet
If your state has not launched a digital driver's license program, you have no way to create one through official channels. Some third-party apps claim to store a digital copy of your license, but these are not official government products and are not accepted by TSA or law enforcement. Using an unofficial digital license could create legal problems.
Your best option is to keep your physical license with you at all times. If you are concerned about losing it, you can photograph your license and store the image on your phone for reference, but this photograph is not a legal substitute for the physical card. Check your state's DMV website periodically to see if a digital license program has launched. Many states have announced plans to roll out the feature within the next one to two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a digital license if I already have a physical one?
No. A digital license is optional and works only at certain airports and in certain situations. Your physical license is valid everywhere and is required by law when you drive. A digital license is a convenience tool, not a necessity.
What happens if my phone dies while I am at the airport?
You will not be able to show your digital license. Always bring your physical license when you travel. If your phone battery is low, you can still use your physical card at TSA checkpoints.
Can someone else use my digital license if they have my phone?
Not easily. Your phone must be unlocked for someone to access your wallet app and see the license. If your phone is locked with a passcode or biometric security, your license is protected. If your phone is stolen, you can remotely erase it or disable it through your phone manufacturer's security tools.
Will a digital license work if I cross state lines?
Your digital license is issued by your home state and works only in that state and at TSA checkpoints nationwide. If you drive to another state, your physical license is what matters. A digital license does not help you cross state borders.
Can I get a digital license if my physical license is expired?
No. Your physical license must be valid and current. If your license is expired, you must renew it at your state's DMV before you can add a digital version to your phone.